tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963Tue, 07 Oct 2014 02:54:53 +0000Welcome from Mary MazzioMary Mazzio - 50 Eggs Filmshttp://marymazzio.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)Blogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-5425984860482914748Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:26:00 +00002012-01-28T14:35:48.472-05:00APPLE PUSHERS - Redux<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tcTTMj7UYs/TyRMb3dLTxI/AAAAAAAAAQs/lK0xTAsHRl8/s1600/APPLE%2BPUSHERS%2B-%2BJake%2Bat%2Bhis%2Bcart.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tcTTMj7UYs/TyRMb3dLTxI/AAAAAAAAAQs/lK0xTAsHRl8/s200/APPLE%2BPUSHERS%2B-%2BJake%2Bat%2Bhis%2Bcart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702767069784395538" border="0" /></a>Our newest film, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Apple Pushers, </span>is now screening at special events in select cities - and Kathleen Merrigan, the Deputy Secretary of the USDA, recently hosted a fabulous screening at the MPAA in Washington DC. In addition, the <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/theapplepushers/">trailer </a>went up on the splash page of itunes last week.<br /><br />For dates and locations of events, please check out <a href="http://www.applepushers.com">www.applepushers.com</a>. And please feel free to "like" our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-Apple-Pushers/124898934253440">facebook </a>page as well.<br /><br />Many thanks to the twitters and bloggers who are writing about the film!http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2012/01/apple-pushers-redux.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-4360344897899491611Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:16:00 +00002011-09-19T12:17:23.818-05:00THE APPLE PUSHERS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYkF35AYU4A/TndyJ8ZZUHI/AAAAAAAAAOo/rI2pfUJocpc/s1600/Boy+with+Apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYkF35AYU4A/TndyJ8ZZUHI/AAAAAAAAAOo/rI2pfUJocpc/s320/Boy+with+Apple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We have been working on a new film, <i>THE APPLE PUSHERS, </i>for the past year, which delves into the lives and stories of several immigrant street cart vendors who are, from dawn to dusk, pushing fresh produce into low income neighborhoods in New York City - where, like urban and rural neighborhoods all over America, finding a ripe red apple is a serious challenge.<br /><br />The project came about after meeting Laurie Tisch, a prominent philanthropist (and co-owner of the Giants) in Aspen when we first screened our prior film, <i>TEN9EIGHT.</i>&nbsp; After the screening, Laurie asked me if I would be interested in coming to New York to learn more about what the City was doing to combat the devastating rates of obesity, which were disproportionately affecting inner city neighborhoods. I drove through some of these "food deserts" - the South Bronx, Harlem, Bed-Sty - and although I didn't expect to see places to buy healthy foods, I was struck by the number of fast food joints crammed on city blocks... that were everywhere.&nbsp; No apples - but plenty of burgers and fries and shakes.&nbsp; At low cost.<br /><br />Fast forward 18 months and the result of this collaboration is <i>The Apple Pushers, </i>a 72 minute film, narrated by Edward Norton and underwritten by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund; written and directed by yours truly; produced by me, Tom Scott (founder - Nantucket Nectars), and Christine Vachon (Academy-award winning producer - <i>Mildred Pierce, Boys Don't Cry, Far from Heaven); </i>and Laurie Tisch as executive producer.&nbsp; The project had a special screening at the Aspen Ideas Festival this past summer with the likes of Robin Schepper (Executive Director of Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative), speaking after the film.<br /><br /><i>The Apple Pushers </i>will launch in October - and our fall series of events will be posted within a few days on both the website and on Facebook.&nbsp; We'd love for you to visit our website,<a href="http://www.applepushers.com/"> www.applepushers.com</a>, and "like" us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Apple-Pushers/124898934253440?ref=ts">facebook</a>.&nbsp; <br /><br /><br />http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2011/09/we-have-been-working-on-new-film-apple.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-5595749955340023356Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:21:00 +00002011-03-04T08:43:31.915-05:00Inspired<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkxT2yfR22g/TXDqTca-rwI/AAAAAAAAANQ/je4BniCe_J8/s1600/large_GORDONweb.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkxT2yfR22g/TXDqTca-rwI/AAAAAAAAANQ/je4BniCe_J8/s200/large_GORDONweb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580217558079811330" border="0" /></a>I had an epiphany yesterday. Rahfeal Gordon, who appears in <span style="font-style: italic;">TEN9EIGHT, </span>and who recently graduated from Montclair University, has started his own inspirational speaking tour and book publishing business - aimed at people just like himself. Young people from low-income communities who have travelled his path, who have felt his pain. And who, like Rahfeal, aspire to greatness.<br /><br />Rahfeal found out a month ago that <span style="font-style: italic;">TEN9EIGHT </span>was to screen at Harvard. He called me up and asked if he could say a few words at the screening. Fast forward to yesterday. Not only was he invited to speak and to have dinner with faculty and members of the Schlesinger Library at Harvard - but he rented 14 passenger mini-van and brought with him an entourage. A remarkable entourage. High school and college students from the inner city who, like Rahfeal, were determined to make something of their lives.<br /><br />They arrived at our offices, dressed in their Sunday best - and one of the young women said "We're on the Babson Campus. And later we're going to Harvard. Rahfeal has changed our lives. We've made it."<br /><br />Wow.<br /><br />What I had never realized was that sometimes simple geography can make an enormous difference in the life and world view of what might be possible for an inner-city teenager. I hadn't thought that just stepping foot on a beautiful campus - Babson College, Harvard University - could be so empowering.<br /><br />Rahfeal knew this. And he brought others with him to feel empowered and inspired. And motivated.<br /><br />I am so proud to be his friend.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2011/03/inspired.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-1518202000616616818Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:41:00 +00002010-01-24T15:46:26.779-05:00Tom Friedman - Steve Jobs Jobs Jobs (and TEN9EIGHT)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/S1ywk17ujwI/AAAAAAAAAM4/3X6N-AZqW1U/s1600-h/friedman-ts-190.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/S1ywk17ujwI/AAAAAAAAAM4/3X6N-AZqW1U/s200/friedman-ts-190.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430409397701349122" border="0" /></a>Today, influential columnist and thought leader, Tom Friedman, called on President Obama, in the wake of the Massachusetts Senatorial election, to refocus on the economy and to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship.<br /><br />He said this about our newest film, TEN9EIGHT: "In November, a documentary movie — “Ten9Eight” — was released that tracked a dozen students all the way through to the finals of the NFTE competition. Obama should arrange for this movie to be shown in <span class="italic">every</span> classroom in America. It is the most inspirational, heartwarming film you will ever see. You can obtain details about it at <a href="http://www.ten9eight.com/" target="_">www.ten9eight.com</a>."<br /><br />Friedman also called for the president to put NFTE (the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) in every low-income community. For his full article: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/opinion/24friedman.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/opinion/24friedman.html</a><br /><br />Wow.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2010/01/tom-friedman-steve-jobs-jobs-jobs-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-8935633403732204438Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:03:00 +00002009-11-17T20:42:16.605-05:00TEN9EIGHT - the update with AMC Theaters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SwNOa1_rxZI/AAAAAAAAAMw/EjurINEVwKE/s1600/IMG_023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SwNOa1_rxZI/AAAAAAAAAMw/EjurINEVwKE/s200/IMG_023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405250200852481426" border="0" /></a>Just this week, we launched TEN9EIGHT in eight cities in partnership with AMC Theaters. Gerry Lopez, Bob Lenihan, Nikkole Denson, Sun Dee Larsen, Gene Willis, April Beebe, Nate Reid - and the entire AMC team, from top to bottom, has embraced TEN9EIGHT in a most remarkable way.<br /><br />Since August, when I last posted an update, we had been talking to several theatrical and broadcast distributors, including Sony Picture Classics (and yes, it is true - I stuck to Tom Bernard like a cheap suit.) He had his people watch the film and consider... watch and consider... and watch and consider once again. When it became apparent that we were not going to be picked up by Sony, it was time to saddle up the rolodex.<br /><br />A friend then introduced me to Bob Lenihan, AMC's head of programming. Bob watched the film. Called me back a day later. Fast forward to last Thursday when AMC opened the film in 8 cities (in an upscale theater and an urban location in nearly every city). The first wave of screenings were free - open to teachers and students - which were jammed. I saw firsthand the reaction of the kids in New York's Lincoln Square AMC. I stepped in about 3/4 of the way thru - worried that they would be jostling and texting and talking and fidgeting... and there was complete silence. I heard reports that throughout the country, the kids at these screenings clapped and cheered - and that reaction, my friends, has been our most powerful and important review of this film. Because we made it for them.<br /><br />Our official theatrical release began on Friday, with Russell Simmons (DefJam) and Larry Wilmore (correspondent from the Daily Show) joining us for a packed red carpet event in New York. Last night in Washington DC, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Dennis Hightower, AMC CEO Gerry Lopez (who flew in from Kansas City to be with us), Chris Gardner (profiled in The Pursuit of Happyness), and Joe Saunders introduced the film at a special screening at the Smithsonian. <br /><br />TEN9EIGHT is playing at select AMC Theaters this week, my peeps. <a href="http://www.ten9eight.com/film-dates-reviews/">Click here</a> for showtimes. Please bring your friends, neighbors, Facebook friends, frenemies, bosses, in-laws, the whole gang.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2009/11/ten9eight-update-with-amc-theaters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-5446234282258872903Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:49:00 +00002009-08-31T10:35:09.547-05:00TEN9EIGHT - the countdown begins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SpvrLeRtLGI/AAAAAAAAAMY/6sYxpVpkIzE/s1600-h/_35H0939.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SpvrLeRtLGI/AAAAAAAAAMY/6sYxpVpkIzE/s200/_35H0939.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376149162535234658" border="0" /></a>As many of you know, we wrapped up post-production on our newest film, TEN9EIGHT (<a href="http://www.1098.com/">www.1098.com</a>) earlier this summer. We had the good fortune to be invited to screen a sneak peek at the ASPEN IDEAS FESTIVAL, which is where US Supreme Court justices and Administration officials and captains of industry mingle and brainstorm. (They could also, incidentally, be seen walking around in shorts.) A shout out to Kitty Boone who helped insure that the screening was a stunning success in Aspen.<br /> <br />Our friends at PLUM TV not only promoted the screening, which was sold out - but arranged for me to interview a few of Aspen's glitterati attending the Ideas Festival, including the Daily Show's Black Senior Correspondent, Larry Wilmore. <a href="http://www.plumtv.com/videos/2009-aspen-ideas-festival-larry-wilmore/index.html">Click here</a> for his very funny interview. (Note to self: never wear an unflattering white tee shirt on television.)<br /><br />But it was Rodney Walker who stole the show in Aspen - everyone wanted to shake his hand - and I was so proud when he stood up to the microphone in an open session with US Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, to ask a question about how the Secretary intended to get parents more involved in their children's education. Arne Duncan, for his part, made it clear that he is doing his job for the Rodneys of this nation. To see Arne Duncan's introduction to the film, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUfa9HEKzvI&amp;feature=channel_page">check this out.</a><br /><br />We also had another sneak peek recently with an audience of students - and one comment left me humbled and touched. "I am so glad I saw this movie," said a 16 year old inner city student. "I am going to become a Queen, a Diva... people are gonna know my name." And the fact that a single student felt more optimistic about her future and her ability after seeing the film - well - that was the whole point of making this movie. (Stay tuned - the film will be released in November during Global Entrepreneurship Week).<br /><br />The film chronicles the stories of several inner city kids, as they compete in and prepare for a nationwide business plan competition (hosted by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship), and I am indebted to the Templeton Foundation for providing major funding for this project, and to the Kauffman Foundation, for their funding and support. I am also indebted to Steve Mariotti and my other friends at NFTE, who allowed me unprecedented access to these students and to the program itself.<br /><br />I also feel so fortunate to have a new set of teenage friends - those who graciously agreed to let me interview them and prod them (and their families) about their lives and experiences - and people who are so full of opportunity and exuberance. They leave me Facebook messages and text me. And what struck me profoundly throughout the process of making this film is this fact: There are millions of kids just like Rodney and Mac and Jessica and Jamal - in every state, in every city. All of whom are seeds. Seeds with the potential for an explosion of color and vibrancy.<br /><br />All they need is just a little bit of water.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2009/08/ten9eight-countdown-begins.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-4123494429900610774Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:20:00 +00002009-06-03T10:05:24.896-05:002009 SRAA Champions - St. Ursula's strikes again.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SiZPymrB6JI/AAAAAAAAALw/0DOreAxD3tc/s1600-h/St+Ursula%27s+Crew+2009"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SiZPymrB6JI/AAAAAAAAALw/0DOreAxD3tc/s200/St+Ursula%27s+Crew+2009" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343045738714753170" border="0" /></a>Congratulations to my favorite high school rowing team, St. Ursula's Crew, from Toledo Ohio, which captured the gold medal this year at the SRAA National Championships held in Princeton, New Jersey.<br /><br />The eight rowed the 1500 meter course - fast and furiously in their boat, named DAISY'S HEROES, a reference to <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.aherofordaisy.com/">A Hero for Daisy</a></span><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><span>which was christened a couple of years ago by none other than the real Daisy.</span> Capturing yet another piece of hardware to bring back to Todelo, St. Ursula's Crew is grinning in the photo above with coach Neil McElroy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SiZS40DzGPI/AAAAAAAAAL4/-Fmrv85WQ-A/s1600-h/St+Ursula%27s+Crew+-+2+-+2009"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SiZS40DzGPI/AAAAAAAAAL4/-Fmrv85WQ-A/s200/St+Ursula%27s+Crew+-+2+-+2009" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343049143922399474" border="0" /></a><br />However, a special moment occurred moments after their win. Krysten French, a 12th grader, was the coxswain of this boat all season. However, a SRAA rule change concerning age prevented Krysten from competing - and rather than wallow in self-pity, she graciously handed the tiller over to junior Taylor McCollum, cheering and shouting herself hoarse for her team.<br /><br />In an extraordinary gesture after the race, Taylor handed her championship gold medal over to her friend, Krysten French - - an act of remarkable generosity, compassion, and sportsmanship.<br /><br />A true hero for Daisy.<br /><br />Congratulations to Taylor, Krysten, Hollis Dana, Emma Miler, Megan Bodie, Tiffany Carnicom, Maggie Peatee, Erin Sheehan, Paige Myers, and Elyse Kortier<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">. <br /> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /> <!--[endif]--></span>http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2009/06/2009-sraa-champions-st-ursulas-strikes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-4953109510453195049Fri, 08 May 2009 14:19:00 +00002009-05-08T09:34:34.828-05:00Junior Mints and Bad Mothers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SgQ_8TptQJI/AAAAAAAAALo/XWgHKemkVEE/s1600-h/Bad+Mother.small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 198px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SgQ_8TptQJI/AAAAAAAAALo/XWgHKemkVEE/s200/Bad+Mother.small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333458164013416594" border="0" /></a>A new book has just come out on the crimes and misdemeanors of mothers.<br /><br />I am so relieved to know that I am not alone.<br /><br />Here's why.<br /><br />The kids cycled downtown by themselves a few months ago. They returned, panting and out of breath. That afternoon, they complained of stomach aches and both were on the pot for most of the afternoon.<br /><br />What did you eat, I asked?<br /><br />Silence.<br /><br />Kids: Um. Er.<br /><br />Me: You didn't buy candy, did you?<br /><br />Kids: Well, CVS had Junior Mints on sale. Two bags for the price of one!<br /><br />Me: You know you're not supposed to do that. You didn't eat them all, did you?<br /><br />Silence. Kids look down at their toes.<br /><br />I retrieve the empty crumpled up bags out of a backpack. Turns out my little sweethearts bought very special candy. Two bags of laxatives for the price of one.<br /><br />I have been chuckling for months.<br /><br />Does this make me a bad mother?http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2009/05/junior-mints-and-bad-mothers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-1230368533669066378Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:26:00 +00002009-03-25T18:33:53.966-05:00Fire Engines and More<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/Scq_Rdm4-II/AAAAAAAAALY/osFqRzs1xc8/s1600-h/fire+engine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 97px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/Scq_Rdm4-II/AAAAAAAAALY/osFqRzs1xc8/s200/fire+engine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317272616790718594" border="0" /></a>A big shout out to Brian McKeever of Soundtrack Boston today. Brian is working on our newest film, <span style="font-style: italic;">TEN 9 EIGHT</span>, when a fire alarm emptied the building. Brian stayed behind to make sure he had all the sound files for the film, before dashing outside with an armful of hard drives.
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<br />Brian's quote? "Here at Soundtrack - we'd risk death by fire before we lose your project."
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<br />More to come on the film.
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<br />Apologies to my readers for being such a sporadic blogger. There has been so much in the news - but we are knee-deep in this film at the moment. Plus - my mother has been keeping me busy as she writes on my wall on FaceBook.
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<br />She does not yet realize that this makes me look very uncool.
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<br />http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2009/03/fire-engines-and-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-341997390505693457Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:08:00 +00002009-01-24T08:20:29.305-05:00Lenny Clarke<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SXsSxYXFeZI/AAAAAAAAALI/Z2LY1tqsZOI/s1600-h/Lenny.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 90px; height: 90px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SXsSxYXFeZI/AAAAAAAAALI/Z2LY1tqsZOI/s200/Lenny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294846426466318738" border="0" /></a>I am still grinning from my celebrity encounter the other day. Which made me an even bigger fan of comedian Lenny Clarke (in <span style="font-style: italic;">Rescue Me</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Fever Pitch</span>) since bumping into him at LaGuardia airport.<br /><br />As I was waiting for my shoes to come thru the security scanner (and wondering if they would notice the bottle of shampoo I had forgotten to take out and put in a little plastic baggie), I noticed a man in a Fever Pitch jacket to my right - and knew he was from Boston. I was also thinking - hmmm - I wonder how that guy got that nice piece of Farrelly Brothers swag... when I saw his face.<br /><br />"Lenny?" I stuck out my hand and introduced myself - and immediately he was asking, hey - you're from Boston? What are you doing here in New York? Hey, hon, that is a great jacket - where'd you get that? What do you do? What are you working on? It was like I had bumped into my uncle.<br /><br />I was also struck by the fact that he was a man of the people. No pretense. He is who he is.<br /><br />And that he flew coach.<br /><br />I love that.<br /><br />Rock on, brother.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2009/01/lenny-clarke.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-2898776110551668426Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:56:00 +00002008-12-20T15:18:28.246-05:00Rutgers Football - Again in the News<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SU1R2yUEmlI/AAAAAAAAAKw/8sirHzbJfgg/s1600-h/Greg+Schiano.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SU1R2yUEmlI/AAAAAAAAAKw/8sirHzbJfgg/s200/Greg+Schiano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281967939636206162" border="0" /></a>Ted Sherman and Josh Margolin of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Star Ledger</span> recently reported that a special university commission found that the athletic department at Rutgers University was allowed to operate without oversight by board of governors or the president of Rutgers.<br /><br />You might remember that Rutgers recently eliminated 6 varsity sports (including sports which had yielded many an Olympian from Rutgers, including rowing) in its effort to create a football dynasty. The <span style="font-style: italic;">Star Ledger</span> reports that the annual football program budget, which was $7.5 million in 2003, is now over $15 million and accounts for more than half of the total athletic department budget. <br /><br />School officials, probably sheepishly, acknowledged that the football program (like 80% of all collegiate football programs according to the NCAA) still loses money. In addition - in an effort to keep coach Greg Schiano from leaving Rutgers, the University also rushed into constructing a $102 million dollar stadium, which is undergoing its own investigation by the comptroller for the State of New Jersey.<br /><br />The Star Ledger <a href="http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/topstories/index.ssf/2008/12/rutgers_football_a.html">outlines several expense</a>s that the football team incurs, including the remarkable line item of having the football team sleep at a Hyatt Hotel before all home games. That's right, folks - home games.<br /><br />Here is the irony. I remember being housed before the Olympic Games - in the Olympic Village in Barcelona. The Village had no air conditioning and was built over a highway. Swimmers (who had competed early) shouting at 2 in the morning.<br /><br />No Hyatts for us.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/12/rutgers-football-again-in-news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-1528694778678463338Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:16:00 +00002008-12-04T10:28:23.098-05:00Little Old Lady with Baseball Bat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/STf1HeOlsKI/AAAAAAAAAKo/QLlDZWyLirs/s1600-h/old+lady.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 89px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/STf1HeOlsKI/AAAAAAAAAKo/QLlDZWyLirs/s200/old+lady.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275954997209968802" border="0" /></a>You can not make this stuff up. This week's gold star has to go to 86 year old Sonia Paine.<br /><br />Jonathan Saltzman, in yesterday's <span style="font-style: italic;">Boston Globe</span>, wrote about the recent death of 92 year old Nick George Montos, the oldest prison inmate in Massachusetts, who at various times in his life, ended up on the FBI's Most Wanted List (mostly for armed robbery).<br /><br />Montos had the misfortune of trying to rob Sonia Paine's Brookline Massachusetts antiques store in 1995 - at the age of 79. When he took out his gun, Sonia put on her glasses, assuming that he wanted to have it appraised. She was initially perplexed when he insisted on tying her up. Paine, who was 73 at the time, wriggled herself free - threw down the silent alarm, and then grabbed a baseball bat (which presumably she had handy for this sort of occasion). <br /><br />Poor Nick George Montos, who was kneeling in front of the safe. He never saw it coming.<br /><br />Paine, a grandmother of 6, was quoted as saying: "I wish he'd come in again. I'd beat the hell out of him."<br /><br />See - life just doesn't stop after the age of 70...http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/12/little-old-lady-with-baseball-bat.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-8831441501978781360Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:03:00 +00002008-11-10T20:26:58.877-05:00Buffeted by Buffet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SRjeJR1VA9I/AAAAAAAAAKg/XJJKsRu3_HI/s1600-h/buffett.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SRjeJR1VA9I/AAAAAAAAAKg/XJJKsRu3_HI/s200/buffett.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267204015197062098" border="0" /></a>I felt a surge of hope this week with the election of Barack Obama, and not simply because a nation fractured for decades over issues of race could actually elect an African American as president, but because Barack has inspired and excited the likes of legendary investor Warren Buffet, Larry Summers (former secretary of the Treasury and briefly, president of Harvard), Eric Schmidt (co-founder of Google); and Anne Mulcahy (Xerox) - to roll up their sleeves and help solve the current issues facing the country.<br /><br />I am not certain that the A Team would have been willing to go to work for John McCain.<br /><br />On other notes - a shout out to my friends who jumped into my latest film project last week (about inner city kids), including Arthur Blank (co-founder, Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons); Wyc Grousbeck (owner - Boston Celtics); David Fialkow (co-founder General Catalyst); Kay Koplovitz (co-founder USA Networks); Ralph Schlosstein (co-founder, BlackRock); Tom Scott (co-founder, Nantucket Nectars, founder - Plum TV); Beth Westvold (Managing Director - BlackRock); and Ray Hamel (co-founder, Pure Encapsulations).<br /><br />Thanks also to the <a href="http://www.businesspundit.com/mary-mazzio-the-most-interesting-olympian-youve-never-heard-of/">Business Pundit </a>for their kudos.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/11/buffeted-by-buffet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-273919407076831994Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:02:00 +00002008-10-05T10:35:59.731-05:00Sarah Palin - Redux<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SOjdJKsj3lI/AAAAAAAAAHk/GJZkaMJX1Gc/s1600-h/palin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SOjdJKsj3lI/AAAAAAAAAHk/GJZkaMJX1Gc/s200/palin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253692114887499346" border="0" /></a>Just when I thought that John McCain had scored a masterful flourish of political wizardry by appointing Sarah Palin to be his running mate, Sarah Palin had an unfortunate run-in with Katie Couric on CBS, which was hysterically captured by Tina Fey on <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r36Xc0GG4iQ">Saturday Night Live</a>.<br /><br />Because of Palin's gaffes on CBS, watching the one and only vice-presidential debate last week became both sport and entertainment, also the subject of another <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/vp-debate-open-palin-biden/727421/">Saturday Night Live</a> skit.<br /><br />And three thoughts came to me during the debate. First - why didn't the moderator, Gwen Ifill, make Sarah Palin answer any of the questions? Second - Palin could have, despite her lack of experience and knowledge on policy issues, actually won the debate. Although I was not expecting such a strong showing from Joe Biden (who was expected to ramble and pontificate), he nearly moved me to tears when he responded to Palin's allegation that he could not identify with regular people or their issues. He almost cried when he mentioned losing his wife and his son - clearly an unrehearsed moment.<br /><br />Palin, almost robotic, never stopped to look at Biden. Had she said "Joe - I can not imagine the pain of losing a child - I am so sorry," pudits might have overlooked her lack of knowledge on the issues, and instead, applauded her for truly being a real person, a real hockey mom. Instead, she ignored his statement, his pain - clearly forfeiting an opportunity to demonstrate compassion. <br /><br />The other thought, when Palin reached for her infant, almost as if the baby was a prop, was this: what kind of mother would keep a baby out until 11pm at night?http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/10/sarah-palin-redux.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-5288704186726358131Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:21:00 +00002008-09-21T13:42:06.730-05:00Sarah Palin - a product of Title IX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SNaSXqsJ9dI/AAAAAAAAAHc/HVy3EQG34HA/s1600-h/palin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SNaSXqsJ9dI/AAAAAAAAAHc/HVy3EQG34HA/s200/palin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248543351041029586" border="0" /></a>The appointment of Sarah Palin to be the Vice President on the Republican ticket was a brilliant, searing, in-your-face strategic move by John McCain. Palin has energized the party, partly because she shoots caribou (and then eats them in burgers); wears bright red shoes, and talks like a hockey mom. <br /><br />Well, sometimes. <br /><br />Claiming that you might have foreign policy credentials because you can see Russia from your backyard - well, most hockey moms I know (and I am one) - would probably have come up with a more convincing piece of spin. Plus, most of the hockey moms I know both spit and swear - and none of this from Palin. Yet.<br /><br />Palin recently told ABC's Charlie Gibson that she was a product of Title IX when asked if she could hold office and raise a family, particularly as Palin's youngest child has Downs Syndrome. I found this answer interesting - as I am not sure that Title IX has anything to do with the balance between work and children, particularly a child with special needs. Title IX, to Palin's point, however, has been critically important in terms of creating opportunities for women on the playing field (and in other areas of education), which translate into very real gains in the workplace. <br /><br />The real issue is this - John McCain trumped the Democratic Party. Barack Obama could have headed off this frontal assault by appointing Hillary (or, at a minimum, publically promised her a cabinet position) - and failed to do so. In fact, a bold move by Obama might have been, if he couldn't stomach the concept of Hillary as a vice president, named his entire potential cabinet (including Bill Richardson, Hillary Clinton, and others) - which could have blunted any sort of counterpoint move by John McCain.<br /><br />I think we Democrats are in checkmate, at the moment.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/09/sarah-palin-product-of-title-ix.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-7758446522576222688Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:39:00 +00002008-08-24T14:31:16.211-05:00The Closing of the Games<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SLGxIAg9RjI/AAAAAAAAAG8/aaXJPAJB3FU/s1600-h/600-closing-span.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SLGxIAg9RjI/AAAAAAAAAG8/aaXJPAJB3FU/s200/600-closing-span.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238162592743900722" border="0" /></a>With the closing ceremonies to be broadcast tonight, withdrawal symptoms will set in for about a week or so. Workouts will be slightly more vigorous, at least, well maybe, for a month.<br /><br />China has hosted a spectacular Olympics - the Opening Ceremonies were among the most artistic and spellbinding since Barcelona in 1992. (And I am not being biased because I was there to see those Games, but because the archer from Spain ran past all the athletes and then raised his bow and arrow and hit the cauldron, square on, igniting the Olympic flame.)<br /><br />The athletes and the host country with its zillion volunteers sweated, jumped, ran, and did their very best. This can not be said for some members of the media corps. At the swimming venue, where the not-from-our-planet Michael Phelps (and his mother) were omnipresent. Phelps was, in a word, awesome. Rowdy Gains did an excellent job of commentating, but his co-host was less impressive with comments about which female swimmers were dating who and which swimmer's nude photos appeared on the internet. It was surprising that the official commentators transformed NBC's usual strong coverage into the PEOPLE Magazine version of the Olympic Games.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SLGxPhZUXUI/AAAAAAAAAHE/r7HLGcD2PhU/s1600-h/phelps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SLGxPhZUXUI/AAAAAAAAAHE/r7HLGcD2PhU/s200/phelps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238162721829313858" border="0" /></a><br />There was also media commentary on a male swimmer or two - such as who Michael Phelps might be dating, which was a strange and desperate attempt for 15 minutes of fame by swimmer Amanda Beard, clearly trying to become a reality show celebrity. She appeared on E or Access Hollywood as a correspondent (with questions to Phelps such as "where are you going to party tonight"). When asked by the Access Hollywood host "are you dating Michael Phelps," Beard replied, "I'll never tell." She later was pressed to explain this and, in a very diplomatic fashion said: "dating Michael Phelps? Eewwww."<br /><br />The press also lambasted the track and field program, which, in fact, had a very strong medal haul this year, compared to prior Olympics - just not in the signature sprinting events, like the 4 x 100 relay where both the men's and women's teams were disqualified for dropping the stick. Even though the relay will most likely never change, getting rid of the baton and having a system like the swimmers (one hits the line and the other goes) would be much more exciting. Dropped batons are no fun for the athlete or the spectator.<br /><br />And of course, there was the 2am coverage of rowing, which is the least covered event at the Olympic Games (possibly followed by canoe/kayak; handball; and table-tennis. OK - and maybe rhythmic gymnastics.) The Chinese women's quadruple sculls won the gold - and their technique was effective and strong. Good for Igor Grinko, the Russian at the helm of China's rowing program. US single sculler, Michele Guerette came within inches of a gold medal in the women's single, making us all proud. The US women's eight won the gold and the men's eight won a bronze medal - and Yazzie Faruq's commentating for NBC was terrific (and enthusiastic). She outclassed the field.<br /><br />Sadly, it was clear that despite talented athletes (the Winklevoss twins making the final in the men's pair, the determined men's single, as well as the other many boats competing for the US at the Olympics), the US is seriously in need of a systematic development system, properly funded, for all its boats (and not simply the eights, which are now the least competitive event at the Olympics with barely more than a handful of entries). Australia, Canada, and New Zealand (the tiniest of populations) are fielding competitive rowing boats and developing athletes - so this skill and ability is not restricted to the communist countries.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SLGxb8fUZSI/AAAAAAAAAHM/0vwHm-y2moc/s1600-h/misty+may+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SLGxb8fUZSI/AAAAAAAAAHM/0vwHm-y2moc/s200/misty+may+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238162935260669218" border="0" /></a>Finally -unlike rowing, there was lots of coverage for beach volleyball players Misty May and Kerri Walsh, both of whom are strong aggressive athletes. However, the post-gold medal match display of hugs in the sand reminded me of the jello wrestling pits of the 1980s. I need go no further with this, except to say: what is up with the rule that the women can't wear anything other than those unbecoming bikini style outfits? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SLGyghxaJCI/AAAAAAAAAHU/I5UX9mAqaAM/s1600-h/misty+may.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SLGyghxaJCI/AAAAAAAAAHU/I5UX9mAqaAM/s200/misty+may.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238164113499759650" border="0" /></a>And where was the media commentary on this? (And of the fact that the men in the sport can not remove their shirts.) I am sure it is a Budweiser-mandated rule - but if Misty May and Kerri Walsh are to be truly iconic, they could put on real workout shorts that keep out the sand, and, a la Billie Jean King, say: "go ahead, fire me."<br /><br />Then they would be true role models.<br /><br />Well - it is only two years from now, when the Bode Millers will rise again from the ashes. <br /><br />Can't wait.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/08/closing-of-games.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-8809920802646292916Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:15:00 +00002008-08-12T08:54:56.293-05:00Igor Grinko's Chinese Women Crank - Beijing Olympics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SKGTFTreJqI/AAAAAAAAAG0/1uHrX4eXQn4/s1600-h/chinese+women.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SKGTFTreJqI/AAAAAAAAAG0/1uHrX4eXQn4/s200/chinese+women.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233625961372460706" border="0" /></a>The Chinese women, in the women's quadruple sculls, blew away the field in their opening heat. They looked sharp and classically trained by Igor Grinko - - with the same technique that he tried to teach us back in 1992. Technique that is perfect for quad rowing - cutting off the finish and jumping off the foot stretchers.<br /><br />It suddenly occurred to me that rowing is the perfect sport for a communist country (as is synchronized diving) because there can be no ego, every movement has to be identical with the person in front of you, there can be no individual star or extraneous movement. You have to completely blend in and if you are headstrong and try to do your own thing, you will only slow down the boat.<br /><br />Countries are still questioning whether the Chinese are using performance enhancements - but if you look at their actual technique, the Chinese are rowing really well. That, plus the development of athletes that China began several years ago, has and will continue to yield strong results. Moreover, the extraordinary support from the Chinese government, which put the time and energy and coaching into their athletes, will pay rich dividends this summer.<br /><br />Watching the US athletes compete, it struck me that many of these athletes are left to their own devices with little or no consistent coaching - and it is such a shame that the US does not have a similar system of support for its athletes (at least not its rowing athletes). With one of the largest gene pools of athletic talent in the US, more consistent support, money, coaching and facilities for up and coming athletes would result in more consistent results. <br /><br />We in the US put most of our eggs in the men's and women's eights basket. However, only 7 women's eights are lining up in Bejing and only 8 men's eights lined up - - that is not much of a competition. Frankly, and this might be heresy - but removing the eights from the Olympic program because it is so sparsely attended - and instead adding more events for smaller boats (a lightweight single; a women's four, a men's and women's coxed four; more lightweight events) would be more exciting and more competitive. Plus - more countries can afford to send smaller boats to race.<br /><br />Watching the rowing events at the Olympics this year is particularly exciting with the addition of the overhead cable cameras in the last 250 meters of the race. The Chinese broadcast is magnificent. In fact, you can actually see who is exerting intensity of effort (and who is not).<br /><br />A shout out to the perennial Ted Nash, a member of the 1960 Olympic Team and coach to many Olympic and National Team boats. Ted coached the Winklevoss twins who advanced to the semi-finals yesterday, winning their repecharge heat. Ted is a coach who has always been available to almost any athlete that has picked up the phone to ask for his help. Kudos as well to Michelle Guerette, the US single sculler, for winning her quarter final - she looks really smooth and strong. And a great effort as well by the US men's single, Ken Jurkowski, who qualified for the semi-finals.<br /><br />Finally - many thanks to Lela and the Business Pundit for this little bit of <a href="http://www.businesspundit.com/mary-mazzio-the-most-interesting-olympian-youve-never-heard-of/">COVERAGE</a>. <span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:12;" ><br /></span>http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/08/igor-grinkos-chinese-women-crank.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-9092222131492603306Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:01:00 +00002008-08-07T21:21:27.261-05:008.8.08 - Let the Games Begin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SJupzQJ-1rI/AAAAAAAAAGs/-B9PUgR78hs/s1600-h/0806_olympians_05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SJupzQJ-1rI/AAAAAAAAAGs/-B9PUgR78hs/s200/0806_olympians_05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231962090096219826" border="0" /></a>In celebration of 8.8.08 (notwithstanding the fact that our favorite event, rowing, is yet again relegated to 2am in the morning), both Forbes.com and Inc.com ran stories about Olympians-turned-Entrepreneurs.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Forbes.com writer Maureen Farrell for including me in<a href="http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/2008/08/06/olympics-entrepreneur-celebrity-ent-sales-cx_mf_0806olympicentrepreneur.html"> Forbes.com's</a> all-star line up, along with this photo of me (looking uncharacteristically bossy. Not.)<br /><br />Thanks also to Inc.com's Tamara Schweitzer for including me in <a href="http://www.inc.com/multimedia/slideshows/content/8-secrets-to-running-a-gold-medal-business_pagen_3.html">Inc.com's</a> Olympic - themed coverage.<br /><br />In other news, we are knee-deep in production on our newest documentary film - and are set to corral about 40 kids in New York next week, which is making my line producer's hair nearly fall out.<br /><br />Hope everyone is having a good summer.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/08/8808-let-games-begin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-3978373743564589505Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:54:00 +00002008-06-27T06:02:12.706-05:00Celtic Pride<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SGTHnKa8d4I/AAAAAAAAAGc/UJmRjUl08R0/s1600-h/Wyc+and+Danny+Ainge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SGTHnKa8d4I/AAAAAAAAAGc/UJmRjUl08R0/s200/Wyc+and+Danny+Ainge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216513744028071810" border="0" /></a>A shout out to Wyc Grousbeck and the Celtics for bringing home Banner 17.<br /><br />They have made those of us, born and bred Massachusetts (some would call us townies) - they have made us proud.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/06/celtic-pride.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-4590505748557172530Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:28:00 +00002008-06-24T08:49:27.294-05:00Ball Girl Makes Amazing Catch at Baseball Game<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOG_video_class" id="BLOG_video-f706a50c0f6e86d5" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/get_player"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="flashvars" value="flvurl=http://redirector.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3Df706a50c0f6e86d5%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dblogger%26app%3Dblogger%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%3Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1429887994%26sparams%3Dip,ipbits,expire,id,itag,source%26signature%3D36BA0ED0AE060AC713222FD93ED5CE03977137F2.8C2802F9A4C2067D253EB891AF3A69189CC56E5D%26key%3Dck2&amp;iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3Df706a50c0f6e86d5%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DObfEZP_6R3PDYAsU3Haofa_gBZo&amp;autoplay=0&amp;ps=blogger"><embed src="//www.youtube.com/get_player" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="320" height="266" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="flvurl=http://redirector.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3Df706a50c0f6e86d5%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dblogger%26app%3Dblogger%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%3Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1429887994%26sparams%3Dip,ipbits,expire,id,itag,source%26signature%3D36BA0ED0AE060AC713222FD93ED5CE03977137F2.8C2802F9A4C2067D253EB891AF3A69189CC56E5D%26key%3Dck2&iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3Df706a50c0f6e86d5%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DObfEZP_6R3PDYAsU3Haofa_gBZo&autoplay=0&ps=blogger" allowFullScreen="true" /></object><br />Check out this amazing video from a minor league baseball game. Thanks to Sally Jackson for sending it to me.<br /><br />Rumor has it that this was a Gatorade Commercial. If so, well done, sirs. Well done.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/06/ball-girl-makes-amazing-catch-at-fenway.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-3834826712693306756Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:02:00 +00002008-06-03T14:47:37.924-05:00Igor Grinko - Chinese Olympic Coach - Redux<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SEWHbZd1EAI/AAAAAAAAAGU/5gDERrFj7Eo/s1600-h/Igor+Grinko.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SEWHbZd1EAI/AAAAAAAAAGU/5gDERrFj7Eo/s200/Igor+Grinko.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207717448886063106" border="0" /></a>I blogged the other day about the article in <span style="font-style: italic;">The New York Times </span>written by Juliet Macur about Igor Grinko and the Chinese Olympic Rowing Team.<br /><br />I received several comments, including one from Igor, himself - and it is incumbent on me to post Igor's response.<br /><br />Igor's post is below. Please remember that Igor's first language is Russian - so there are a few typos.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Some friends sent me your article. I think it's stupid what is you writing there together with Mike Teti about East Germany I mean system for selection and training, not drugs. For my 14 years work with US is any athletes can say I offer drugs to him or her. You just lying. When we trained in Switzerland I called just asked if they can offer something for recovery very natural. Shame on you Mary. I quarantee my Chinese rowers all clean and just training better."</span><br /><br />For the record, Igor has coached several world championship winning teams - and frankly, I was not among the best athletes he ever coached. Igor was always honest with me about that fact and I always respected him for that. On a personal level, Igor always had a dry sense of humor about us, and about himself.<br /><br />My blog was primarily focussed on how much money China is spending to support its athletes, which I think the US ought to be doing. It comes as no surprise to me that a well-funded system in China produces crews that are clocking the rest of the world. In fact, the Chinese are light years ahead of the US in terms of athlete development and support. And Igor's comment that they are training better - this very well may be true.<br /><br />My blog posting did not say that Igor would cheat. Igor is driven to win - and will take every competitive advantage that he can. That being said, I will take him at his word.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/06/igor-grinko-chinese-olympic-coach-redux.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-8032338530757205340Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:46:00 +00002008-06-04T09:40:06.819-05:00The Chinese 24 Karat Olympic Machine and Igor Grinko<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SEMdqg3mrDI/AAAAAAAAAGE/OE1IxMrO7i0/s1600-h/01gold_slide5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SEMdqg3mrDI/AAAAAAAAAGE/OE1IxMrO7i0/s200/01gold_slide5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207038210385292338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times</span> writer Juliet Macur documents her visit with the Chinese National Rowing Team and their coach, Igor Grinko, in today's <span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times</span>. Three things about the article struck me as remarkable. First - that the Chinese Government underwrote a $10 million dollar rowing facility and sponsors 1200 rowing athletes. The support of the US government is downright stingy in comparison. Olympic athletes here in the US receive only a few thousand dollars in support. The Chinese, like many European and Asian nations, cover living expenses, food, travel, and training costs. Former US Olympic coach, Hartmut Buschbacher, also coaching in China, was quoted as saying "If you are surprised at how good the Chinese have gotten, then I think you should come here and watch them train and see this place... if you think this is not going to lead to performance, then I'm sorry, you are stupid." I loved this quote - classic Hartmut Buschbacher. To the point. And blunt. <br /><br />I had the chance to work with Hartmut while he was the Olympic Team coach for the women's sweep program - and I thought he had a great non-nonsense attitude. He also designed personal programs for athletes - instead of generic workout program for all athletes, which I thought was brilliant.<br /><br />Second and more importantly, despite the allegations of doping (addressed below) - it also struck me that Igor Grinko is thriving in China - a system much like Russia, where Igor's scullers (usually the quad) won multiple gold world championships and Olympic medals. China has an enormous population, so it was only a matter of time before really good athletes, particularly from Inner Mongolia, would emerge. In addition, Igor has all the tools at his fingertips - doctors, labs, physical therapists, new equipment - and, more importantly, everyone will do what he dictates. Furthermore, unlike what happens here in the US, Igor can develop athletes - rather than focus on a shorter term strategy of selection. Sadly, the US has forgone the concept of athlete development for the past 15 years - which means that<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SEMlStW5DYI/AAAAAAAAAGM/52pH1XtxZEs/s1600-h/01gold.1.600.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/SEMlStW5DYI/AAAAAAAAAGM/52pH1XtxZEs/s200/01gold.1.600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207046597513907586" border="0" /></a> really good potential athletes are not identified or developed - which is partly responsible for the meager medal showings year after year by the US Team. At this point in time, only the men's and women's eights are supported with consistent and rigorous coaching - but even then, there is very little development. On top of this, there are precious few trials events for the Olympic Games, so unless you happen to be invited to a camp, there is little incentive for unidentified athletes to continue training after college. So it comes as no surprise that Igor can and will develop really fast and powerful crews in the sort of environment that China has in place.<br /><br />Third - Mike Teti, the US men's Olympic coach, has gone on the record as suggesting that doping is responsible for the rapid improvement of the Chinese teams, who were largely absent from the international scene 10 years ago. Grinko, in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Times</span>, responds "no secrets, no mysteries going on here... they're just doing this like the East Germans did in the 1970s and 1980s." I laughed when I read this quote - because although the East Germans had government support and a rigorous training program, it was common knowledge that the East Germans doped heavily and consistently, not just in the 1970s and 1980s, but beyond. Teti knows this as well, given that he was a member of several Olympic teams before he started his coaching career.<br /><br />Nonetheless, having visited China and Inner Mongolia - and seeing how large and athletic many Chinese athletes are - - and having been an assistant coach to the Korean Olympic Development Team - - I saw first-hand how these athletes are developed and trained. They all live together in government apartments - and they train full-time without distraction. So it comes as no surprise that they are fielding very competitive and talented teams. In fact, a link on the <span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times's</span> website (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/sports/olympics/01gold.html?em&amp;ex=1212465600&amp;en=bb0725a0a962f973&amp;ei=5087%0A">click here for the article)</a> shows clips of the Chinese Team. Their rowing technique is very good - clean and smooth, with very little boat check.<br /><br />That being said, Igor Grinko was our Olympic sculling coach in 1992. So I have a bit of knowledge about how he coaches and how he interacts with athletes. In fact, in 1991 and 1992, Igor was very frustrated with his American athletes - partly because there was no system or support in place for consistent training - and partly because he had very little control over headstrong American scullers. He also did not understand the mental aspect of American athletes, thinking that the larger athletes would always outperform the smaller athletes. In Russia, rowing is a job. Here in America, it is a passion. Moreover, Grinko's workouts were designed for Russian athletes - meaning that, at least as far as we were concerned, they availed themselves of performance enhancements which, more than anything, helped them to recover quickly. We did not. In fact, while we were training in Colorado at altitude early in 1992, Igor insisted that I do back to back workouts (40 minute erg pieces) at a heart rate of 186 (a beat below my anaerobic threshold, when I would start generating huge amounts of lactic acid). Most of the other women's thresholds were around 140 - 160. After several days of this kind of work, which should have in theory worked, I nearly tanked. In fact, the doctor at the US Olympic Training Center took a blood test. "Get the hell out of here" he said. "You have completely depleted your glycogen stores. It will take you months to recover and I don't know if you'll be able to recover in time for the Games." Igor's workouts, at least then, were brutual for women who were not taking drugs to help them recover from workouts. I also recall training at altitude in St. Moritz when the women were crying on the way to workouts. People were at the limit, both physically and mentally, under Igor's workout program.<br /><br />Although I am sure Igor is smart enough to have his athletes avoid any performance enhancements which are specifically noted on the International Olympic Committee's banned list - I share this anecdote. In 1992, one of our assistant coaches told us, while we were training in Switzerland prior to the Games, that Igor was trying to get his hands on a new drug that the Italian cyclists were using to rid the body of lactic acid more quickly. That substance was not yet on the banned list because it was so new - and furthermore, one of us on the team found out that an Italian cyclist had died after taking the substance because his heart fibrilated. <br /><br />To be fair, I never asked Igor myself if this was true - and the drug never materialized as one of the assistant coaches had purportedly placed a call with the US Olympic Committee to confirm that enhancements NOT on the banned list were still banned. And frankly, even if Igor had located and procured that drug - very few of us, being a fairly feisty bunch of independent minded people, would have been insipid enough taken some blue pill or blue drink. In some countries, athletes are told that "vitamins" are in a drink or a pill - and they simply swallow. In the US, especially with scullers who are older and cranky, with no money or glory at stake, we don't.<br /><br />So after reading the <span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times </span>article, here is what I think. The Chinese athletes are earning their results, particularly because of the money and support of the Chinese government. If the US had a strongly supported development system in place, instead of a catch-as-catch can selection process - we, too, would be more competitive.<br /><br />However, that being said, I would not be surprised at all if Igor could put his hands on something that was not yet on the banned list. Something to optimize his athletes. Something small and and something blue.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/06/chinese-24-karat-olympic-machine-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-886760390127646213Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:57:00 +00002008-04-11T06:18:54.475-05:00St. Ursula's Academy and Daisy's Heroes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R_5_VI2NvyI/AAAAAAAAAFU/L444p_HRROs/s1600-h/47b8da28b3127ccea8666219b0ef00000010108AYtGLZu2Zt-.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R_5_VI2NvyI/AAAAAAAAAFU/L444p_HRROs/s200/47b8da28b3127ccea8666219b0ef00000010108AYtGLZu2Zt-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187723821906247458" border="0" /></a><br />Daisy and I travelled to St. Ursula's Academy in Toledo, Ohio this week to visit the two-time champions of the Head of the Cuyahoga (and winners of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Chris Ernst/A Hero for Daisy</span> trophy) as well as the rest of the fabulous St. Ursula's community.<br /><br />After a screening of <span style="font-style: italic;">A Hero for Daisy, </span>Daisy read her prepared speech, which she pr<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R_6CS42Nv0I/AAAAAAAAAFk/ZCwnMCjqu-Y/s1600-h/47b8da28b3127ccea8666203b0f500000010108AYtGLZu2Zt-.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R_6CS42Nv0I/AAAAAAAAAFk/ZCwnMCjqu-Y/s200/47b8da28b3127ccea8666203b0f500000010108AYtGLZu2Zt-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187727081786425154" border="0" /></a>acticed several times without prompting, to about 700 girls - telling them that she was very glad to miss two days of school. She also told the girls that they made her believe that she could do anything.<br /><br />That afternoon, we attended the christening of St. Ursula's brand new Resolute eight, a fine fast racing shell, which the team had voted to name "DAISY'S HEROES." <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R_6CyY2Nv2I/AAAAAAAAAF0/X4ETE8Qcrnc/s1600-h/47b8da28b3127ccea866622831ee00000010108AYtGLZu2Zt-.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R_6CyY2Nv2I/AAAAAAAAAF0/X4ETE8Qcrnc/s200/47b8da28b3127ccea866622831ee00000010108AYtGLZu2Zt-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187727622952304482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was so moved by the naming... and decided that I needed to bring my 15 year old bottle of champagne which I had been given at the Olympic Games. The bottle had the Olympic Rings - and for 15 years had been stored at the back of my refrigerator.<br /><br />I had been waiting for a perfect time to open that bottle. And as<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R_6D_I2Nv3I/AAAAAAAAAF8/dcXyo6OPpmI/s1600-h/47b8da28b3127ccea86662fc313a00000010108AYtGLZu2Zt-.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R_6D_I2Nv3I/AAAAAAAAAF8/dcXyo6OPpmI/s200/47b8da28b3127ccea86662fc313a00000010108AYtGLZu2Zt-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187728941507264370" border="0" /></a> far as I was concerned, there was no better time to uncork that baby - than over a boat named for Daisy's newest heroes.<br /><br />The St. Ursula's community was so remarkable. The girls were funny and smart and vivacious and grounded. They make Toledo proud.<br /><br />Thank you to Cindy Dana, to St. Ursula's, and to the City of Toledo - for making us feel so welcome. This was an event that Daisy and I will remember forever. <a href="http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080406/ART16/744224154/0/ART">Click here</a> for fabulous coverage by The Toledo Blade.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/04/st-ursulas-academy-and-daisys-heroes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-5085299586709353351Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:49:00 +00002008-03-27T14:14:55.747-05:00BlackRock - Redux<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R-vsn2simPI/AAAAAAAAAFM/GrvIiURQyts/s1600-h/_MG_0549.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R-vsn2simPI/AAAAAAAAAFM/GrvIiURQyts/s200/_MG_0549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182495965661272306" border="0" /></a>Larry Fink, the Chairman of BlackRock, was on the front page of the Wall Street Journal the other day. BlackRock, along with Highfield's Capital, is backing PennyMac, a new fund formed to acquire non-performing mortage loans from banks and other financial institutions. Larry and the other founders of BlackRock transformed what began as a tiny fixed income shop, beginning with 8 people in 1988, into a trillion dollar global asset management firm - a firm which was grounded around the concept of risk-management. (A concept that was not utilized by many Wall Street firms, as evidenced by the shellacking of Bear Stearns.)<br /><br />Speaking of BlackRock, my friend, Chris Poe sent this photo of me with Ralph Schlosstein, one of BlackRock's founders, which was taken immediately prior to the screening of "we are BlackRock" in New York City at Gotham Hall.<br /><br />You will note that the reason I am having a less than stellar hair day is because I was sweating profusely prior to the screening of this latest film, all the while, trying to look calm and collected.http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/03/blackrock-redux.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948369567620342963.post-2748366058994199272Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:35:00 +00002008-03-10T15:14:34.100-05:00Girls' Ice Hockey - Should they play at the Boston Garden?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R9WSDXj10-I/AAAAAAAAAE0/nY1cm_ta2cM/s1600-h/women%27s+ice+hockey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R9WSDXj10-I/AAAAAAAAAE0/nY1cm_ta2cM/s200/women%27s+ice+hockey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176203933293859810" border="0" /></a>Today's Boston Globe reported that the Massachusetts Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association had scheduled the state hockey finals for high school boys to be played at the Boston Garden, home of the Bruins. The girls, however, are relegated to another site, which is not the Garden.<br /><br />The finals for both boys and girls high school basketball state finals are at the Garden (also home of our beloved Celtics) - and so, inquiring minds might ask, why are the girls playing high school hockey not at the Garden?<br /><br />The girls will play at the Harvard facility - a top notch rink. However, it is the signal and message which is unfortunate: you do not deserve to play where the hallowed traditions of the Bruins lie... you do not deserve to be where the boys play.<br /><br />Arguments have been made that ice hockey for girls is an emerging sport (many more high schools offer ice hockey to boys than girls) - but that is the same tired argument that was used decades ago for women playing sports at all. That girls need to "earn" their stripes. However, girls pay tuition, practice, and put in the kind of effort that the boys do.<br /><br />It is remarkable that in 2008, that this conversation and observation is even being made.<br /><br />On another note - here at 50 Eggs, we were commissioned to produce a film project for BlackRock, the wildly successful asset management firm. The 42 minute film chronicled the history and entrepreneurial path of 8 founders who came together and grew the business into a global brand of over<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R9WVLXj10_I/AAAAAAAAAE8/4C8dYWsiv0M/s1600-h/g2209_BLkRock_LG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 63px;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UNSSftxXYW8/R9WVLXj10_I/AAAAAAAAAE8/4C8dYWsiv0M/s200/g2209_BLkRock_LG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176207369267696626" border="0" /></a> 5000 strong.<br /><br />After completing the project, it became apparent to me that BlackRock is a different sort of place with real people who are fiercely dedicated to serving their customers (whether the customer is a large pension fund or a municipal worker - a fireman or carpenter). What was striking was the crew also came to this same conclusion. There were several people who worked on the film (our line producer, our photographer, our sound guy) who all asked: where can I get a BlackRock fund?http://marymazzio.blogspot.com/2008/03/girls-ice-hockey-should-they-play-at.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mary Mazzio)0